In our last study, we saw our Lord in the synagogue, demonstrating compassion by healing a man with a withered hand. This angered the Pharisees, who believed that according to their traditions, Christ violated the Sabbath, to the point that they went out and plotted with the Herodians to find a way to destroy Him. Jesus, being the humble servant of Yahweh, in order to avoid further conflict, withdraws along with His disciples to a more secluded place by the sea. Well, if Jesus was looking for some alone-time with His disciples, that was not going to happen, because a large crowd followed Him. The news of Christ’s message of hope and of His compassion on the poor and needy had spread far and wide. And so they came in droves, from north and south of Israel and beyond in order to hear Him and be healed by Him. And they were not disappointed, as He healed all who touched Him.
Matthew in his gospel (Matt 12:15-21) tells us that what Jesus did here was a fulfillment of Isaiah’s first servant song in Isaiah 42:1-4. Please take time to meditate on the Matthew passage and consider how it demonstrates the glory of Christ, the suffering Servant, in the way He welcomed sinners, healed and restored the broken, and gave salvation and hope to the lost.
In the next passage, Jesus calls to Himself 12 disciples, whom He also named apostles. He called them so they could spend time with Him, to establish intimacy with Him and to learn from Him so they could be sent out to preach the gospel.
As you read verses 13-19, consider the following questions:
- Based on verse 13, what is the difference between these followers and the ones who followed Jesus in v.7b?
- Seeing the ordinariness of these men, and how they were transformed by spending time with Jesus, what does that tell us about the importance of daily spending time with Jesus?
- How does Jesus’ discipling the 12 apostles and sending them out set a precedent for each of us who are Christ’s followers?
- What lessons can we learn from Judas’ life, as one who was discipled and sent out by Jesus, and later betrayed Him? (particularly in regards to dealing with hidden sins)
May the Lord use His word to help us all to want to spend daily time with Jesus, so that we can be transformed by Him and on mission for Him.